The wind blew softly through the remnants of Jin-Ah's schoolyard, rustling loose pages and ash-kissed leaves. The building bore scars from the orc attack just days prior—windows shattered, one wing partially collapsed, the front lawn still singed where Jinwoo had fought like a god amongst mortals. Now, a new scar was opening. One that didn't bleed smoke or ash… but something far more ancient.
A Gate.
Not an ordinary one. It shimmered with a gravity all its own. Dark stone edges curled with gold trim, bearing unfamiliar runes that felt older than time. A chilling, humming pressure hung in the air—like standing in the center of a heartbeat that wasn't human.
Po stood beside Jinwoo, hands in the pockets of a tailored black coat. His white hair ruffled slightly in the wind. Jinwoo's own aura pulsed quietly under his skin, his eyes locked on the portal.
They said nothing at first.
Just shared a glance. Mutual understanding passing without a word.
This was it.
The Cartenon Temple.
The birthplace of Jinwoo's rise.
And this time… he wouldn't be alone.
Earlier That Week:
The breach at Jin-Ah's school had left Korea shaken.
Orcs weren't meant to appear in the city—much less inside a school. Jinwoo's rage had been silent and cold. He hadn't even summoned a shadow at first. He'd stepped into the breach like a shadow of death and ripped the Orcs apart with nothing but raw strength, limbs and steel flying like paper.
Po had arrived near the end, casually kicking the last chieftain in the chest so hard it embedded into a wall.
Later, Chairman Gunhee had bowed his head slightly—something no one had ever seen him do.
"Please… stay in Korea," he said. "Other nations are eyeing you. France, Germany, Russia, even the United States. But we need our guardians here."
Jinwoo and Po had shared a look.
"Solo or Duo raids only," Jinwoo said.
"No stupid party limitations," Po added, smirking.
Gunhee chuckled. "I'll pull every string I have."
And he had. Senator Nam, after a tense meeting, officially passed an amendment allowing top S-Rank Hunters to enter gates solo. The world watched in awe.
With the law changed, the Ahjin Guild officially rose.
Yoo Soohyun had accepted the invitation eagerly. After her having witnessed Jinwoo's power firsthand, she'd sought a purpose. Po sealed the deal by saying, "You're cool. Come vibe with us."
Cha Hae-In stood by Po's side like a silent sword, glowing and fierce. Their connection had bloomed quickly after their first date—and though neither made it official, the air between them sparked every time they stood close.
Jinho, loyal as ever, had taken the vice-leader position, managing the guild's logistics and paperwork.
Po and Jinwoo?
They still hadn't decided who should lead.
"Wanna arm wrestle for it?" Po teased.
"Rock paper scissors sounds fairer," Jinwoo smirked.
No one knew who the real leader was.
The world simply called them the Twin Monarchs of Ahjin.
Their early raids went flawlessly. C-Rank? Cleared in five minutes. B-Rank? Cleared in three. A-Rank? Reduced to ashes, shadows, and crystals in a single breath. Soohyun and Hae-In barely needed to lift their weapons—though they trained harder than ever under the eyes of two gods.
And when both Po and Jinwoo hit Level 101, something changed.
The System Key vibrated in their inventory.
A timer ticked down: 24:15:38.
The countdown to the Architect's Temple had begun.
Now:
As the two stood before the gate, a soft ding echoed in their minds.
[You may now enter the Temple of Cartenon.]
[Would you like to proceed?]
Jinwoo's breath hitched. The last time he'd stood here, he'd barely been a human.
Now… he was the Shadow Monarch in waiting.
And beside him was Po—the only man who felt like a rival and a brother.
"You ready?" Po asked, tilting his head.
Jinwoo nodded. "You?"
Po grinned, his aura curling around him like blue-black fire. "Hell yeah."
Together, they stepped forward.
The gate pulled them in—no light, no tunnel, no time.
The Temple of Cartenon:
The world shifted.
Suddenly, they stood within a colossal stone cathedral, lit by ethereal torches. Statues lined the walls—warriors, kings, beasts—all gazing downward as if bearing silent witness.
Runes pulsed in time with their heartbeats. The weight of divinity pressed upon them.
And before them…
A platform.
A stone monolith bearing the same eerie magic as the System.
Then—
"Welcome."
A voice, deep and mechanical, echoed through the chamber. The Architect.
But this time, it paused.
"...Unexpected presence detected."
Po chuckled, hands still in his pockets. "Aw, you noticed me."
Jinwoo stepped forward. "We came together."
"No," the Architect responded. "You are not meant to ascend together. Only one Shadow Monarch exists within this framework."
The air grew heavy.
Po's smile faded slightly. "Yeah? Then rewrite the framework, tin can."
Jinwoo placed a hand on Po's shoulder. "Let's see what he throws at us first."
[Trial Commencing.]
All at once, the temple lit up. Shadows formed and surged forward. Stone statues came to life, weapons raised. Massive golems stirred from ancient slumber.
But the two didn't flinch.
Jinwoo cracked his neck. "I'll take the left."
Po stretched his fingers, sparks of chaos-light coiling around them. "Right's mine."
Then they launched forward—twin storms in human form.
To Be Continued…
AN: Got a test comin' up, so I won't post till at least after Wednesday.